How WRAP Has Changed My Life – Laura’s Story

I have had a rough life growing up as child. I have went through a lot of trauma and abuse. As a small child, I grew up wondering what I did to deserve the abuse I got. I was abused for 9 years and for the longest I wondered does anyone love me. Having a WRAP plan has changed how I think about myself now. After being in Southern Virginia Mental Health Institute and creating a WRAP plan, my life is slowly beginning to change.

I also know what it is like to have a parent that drinks alcohol and that is a big trigger for me. My mom knows it hurts me and it angers me to see her drink. I just can’t deal with it at all. Having a WRAP plan to help me deal with my mama’s drinking problem is something that I know I need to do. WRAP has changed my life in more ways than one. It has given more ways to deal with things that are bothering me in a more effective way.

I also know what it is like to be homeless. I spent 8 months last year homeless. Me and my mom both had to find other people that we could stay with. Being homeless is not something that I ever want to go through again. It was not a very fun experience at all. Using my WRAP plan for a situation such as this one has helped me tremendously. My WRAP plan has changed my life for the better. I have learned better methods of dealing with stressful events. I am still working on developing an action plan for my triggers. I am having to learn better ways of dealing with triggers and I also know when I am not doing well.

Mary Ellen Copeland and her staff cannot address personal mental health problems and issues. We care very much about your concerns but we must focus our efforts on education and resource development. For more information on how to get help for yourself or the people you are supporting, please use the resources on this website.